Iran–US War & Diplomacy: Iran’s foreign minister says diplomacy is possible only if Washington drops its pressure campaign, as mediators like Qatar and Pakistan keep pushing and Hormuz remains a central pressure point. Strait of Hormuz Energy Leverage: A new revenue-sharing push over Hormuz highlights how quickly the waterway can be tightened, renewing calls for energy diversification across Asia. Iran Domestic Pressure: President Pezeshkian signals higher gasoline prices to manage renewed US economic pressure, underscoring the war’s spillover into everyday costs. US Courts vs Deportation-by-Speech: A federal judge ruled Trump-era visa and deportation moves targeting pro-Palestinian campus advocacy are unconstitutional, a major First Amendment setback for the administration. Israel/Palestinian Politics: Mansour Abbas positions Ra’am for a kingmaker role in Israel’s next government while internal debate over Nakba recognition continues. Syria & Regional Stance: Qatar, speaking for the Arab Group at the UN, reiterates support for Syria’s sovereignty and calls for removing obstacles to recovery and refugee returns. Media & Language Policy: Canada’s CBC will change its 9/11 “terrorism” attribution guidance after backlash, aiming for clearer public communication. Regional Security Pact Watch: The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement’s next expansion question grows as Bangladesh and Egypt weigh interest and Iran faces conflicting reports about invitations. Business/Finance Signals: Nigeria’s return to FTSE Russell frontier classification and a Moody’s outlook upgrade bolster investor sentiment. Renewables in the Philippines: DOE and PNOC sign to speed offshore wind land/permit processing, while ACEN and Yanara secure financing for a Pangasinan solar project.